He was one of the city's best loved musicians and champions of new music creating the record label Deltasonic to give young bands a voice.

He put together his label initially to help the Coral, releasing their six albums.

Coral singer James Skelly said: "Alan was a true and loyal friend. I am gutted."

Mr Wills went on to sign some of the biggest and most influential bands to come out of Merseyside in a generation, including the Zutons, The Dead 60's, The Little Flames, The Rascals, The Basement, Candie Payne, The Longcut and The Suzukis, The Sand Band, The Tigerpicks and The Dirty Rivers.

The south Liverpool-based record company also enjoyed success as a publishing company, working with Miles Kane and The Last Shadow Puppets on the number one album, The Age of the Understatement.

Mark McNulty

Alan Wills drummer with Liverpool band Top photographed outside the Moulin Rouge in Paris before their gig at La Locomotive - Picture by Mark McNulty

The name Deltasonic was designed as an amalgamation of the words Delta, with its blues references, and Sonic is from Sonic Youth, one of Mr Wills favourite band names.

Before starting his visionary label he was the drummer with Liverpool bands Shack and Top.

Former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones said: "Alan was the first person I met who I could talk to about my brother, the first in my whole life to tell me I was any good and always the person I called when the things got too much.

"Alan was a beacon for people who didn't want to be swallowed up by their past. His future was everything, that continues in all of the people he touched, the musicians he gave a chance to and of course Sonny.

"His influence on me as a teen and the worlds of thought he introduced to me shaped me into who I am and saved my life time over.

"It felt that with ever turn my life took Al was there to explain it for me. Every corner of ill health or disaster was made perfect sense after a phone call.

"In many ways the view on life that I took from him has given me the best preparation you could have. Its a game, there's a piece missing now, you've got to carry on and see how you do.

"Too many amazing memories. One of the most important times of my life I still joke about.

"Being the one who got stuck next to him on the flight back from Japan 2001, everything from siddhartha to U2 to New Balance being the 'Joy Division of trainers', the Tao of Pooh, life was an illusion, maths, music and everywhere else his brain wanted to take us.

"An unending well of energy and positivity x"

Alan Wills

Sound City founder David Pichilingi was one of Alan's closest friends.

He said:“One of the most generous, honest and loyal people that ever walked this earth. He had a childlike, sometimes brutal, honesty. His love for his family was second to none. His love for music knew no bounds.

“I am proud to have walked much of the journey with him.

“His death is untimely. He was not ready to go. He had so much energy and unfinished business. He will be greatly missed by us all but none more so than Ann, Carly, Jamie and Sonny.

"Of course also by Joe who has been with him on most of the fantastic musical journey by his side. A true friend and ally.

“Alan was a character of great substance and depth. He always had time for everyone. He always gave his opinion (even when not asked). Never with any malicious intent. We have lost a beautiful and crazy character and life will not be the same without him.

"It was Al who told us the soul is an eternal entity that will live on beyond death. He said our body is just a spacesuit. When we die the spirit lives on and the spacesuit is left behind.

“Alan, am left crying over your spacesuit, but I know you live on. See you on the other side my friend.”

Music manager Jay Mighall said: “Alan inspired, encouraged, nurtured and supported us all, we all appreciate everything that he did for us. So many of us owe so much gratitude to Alan and we will all continue to benefit from his influence and legacy.”

Mark McNulty

Alan Wills

Journalist Jamie Bowman worked as a tour manager for Deltasonic.

He said: "Lots of people have said it better than I could already but I just wanted to say what a great bloke Alan Wills was - last saw him a couple of weeks ago and as always he was interested in my opinion on various bands and what I was up to and was as funny and enthusiastic as ever (he asked if I was going to Ian Broudie's 'testimonial match' at the Philharmonic).

"Back in 2005 following the closure of the Royal Court he rang me up and asked me into the Deltasonic offices for a chat - a few weeks later I was driving the Little Flames around the country as we set off on a UK tour with some bunch of unknowns called the Arctic Monkeys.

"It was one of the most fun two weeks of my life and I'll always be grateful to Alan for the opportunity to work with a great label. Loads of amazing music was made and great times were had because of what Alan did with Deltasonic and his love for the bands he worked with was infectious. RIP."

Dave Monks, from BBC Radio Merseyside, was a friend of Alan's.

He said: "Alan was a one-off - every time I was with him he would make me laugh with his direct manner which was always entertaining. He was a real force of nature and it was always great to spend time with him.

"He was so enthusiastic about the music he liked and believed in. I remember one particular time asking Alan to record a few words about when he started his record label Deltasonic. Two hours later Alan was still with me talking with the same passion and enthusiasm as when he came in.

'Do you think you have got enough stuff there Dave?' he said! – He will be much missed by those who's lives he touched through music in Liverpool and beyond. love to Ann and his family."

One of the many bands Alan championed was the Little Flames who he signed to his Deltasonic label.

The band - singer Eva Petersen, guitarist Mat Gregory, Miles Kane (guitar and vocals), Joe Edwards (bass and vocals) and drummer Greg Mighall - paid this tribute to Alan today: "We are forever grateful to Alan for giving us the opportunity to experience the most exciting times in our lives, and the privilege of sharing them with Alan is something we will never forget.

"More than anything he gave us, and so many others, the chance to follow our dreams. We will cherish and appreciate the loving support he always gave us. Thank you Alan. Eva, Miles, Joe, Greg and Mat."

Icicle Works singer Ian Mcnabb said: "I knew Alan off and on for 30 years. First I knew him as the drummer in Shack and Top then as the driving force behind his record and publishing companies.

"He helped many local musicians live their dreams through his hard work and belief in their music. He was passionate about the things that count in this life and I am very sad to hear he has been taken away in the cruelest and most shocking way possible.

"Another great musical mentor of Liverpool has gone too soon. Thoughts with family and friends."

Mr Wills talked fondly about auditioning for Pete Wylie's Wah!.

Pete Wylie said: "Alan always told this story - he came to Liverpool to audition for WAH! I told him he'd 'failed the audition' but I liked him, so I found another band for him to play with so he stayed here.

"He said he didn't know anyone else who'd do that for a kid.The rest is history! He was always looking to the future and to help nurture new talent. Liverpool is going to miss him. My love and condolences to all those left behind. RIP Alan."

Mat Gregory, The Little Flames guitarist, also added: "I have never known anyone with more integrity than Alan, or anyone who really stood by the things and the people that he believed in more than he did. He had the ability to see the good in people, to back them completely when no one else would, and to nurture and inspire great things in people. He gave so many belief in themselves, I know that - I am one of those people.

"Just talking to Alan was a whirlwind of insights and philosophies, wisdom and incredible humour. He was one of the most determined, intelligent, brave and genuinely caring people on the planet. He brought out the best in people, and went to great lengths to look after the people in his life. When I was ill, he was the first to help me."

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Alastair Machray was appointed editor of The Liverpool Echo in 2005 and is also editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He is a former editor of The Daily Post (Wales and England) and editor-in-chief of the company's Welsh operations. Married dad-of-two and keen golfer Alastair is one of the longest-serving newspaper editors in the country. His titles have won numerous awards and spearheaded numerous successful campaigns.